Governor Quinn Vetoes Gambling Bill That Would Create Rockford Casino

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) -- The mayor of Rockford says he's disappointed that Gov. Pat Quinn rejected a gambling expansion plan that would have included a casino in his northern Illinois community.

Mayor Larry Morrissey says a casino in Rockford would have created thousands of jobs. The community has frequently had the highest unemployment rate in the state.

Quinn vetoed the gambling expansion plan on Tuesday. It called for slot machines at horse racing tracks and five casinos, including one land-based site in Chicago. The four others would be riverboats in Rockford, Danville, Park City and a suburban Chicago location.

Democratic state Sen. Michael Frerichs represents the Danville area. He says a casino would have generated revenue for schools, roads and parks.

Quinn says he objected to the proposal because it lacked ethical oversight.

CHICAGO (AP) -- Gov. Pat Quinn has rejected a plan to expand gambling in Illinois, including a land-based casino in Chicago.

The bill proposed five new casinos, including the Chicago facility and four more on riverboats.

Quinn had signaled in recent weeks that he wouldn't sign the bill as it had been written. He voiced concerns that it didn't provide enough ethical protections, including barring the gambling industry from making political contributions.

Last year lawmakers approved a similar plan to expand gambling in the state but didn't send it to Quinn because he had threatened a veto.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.